Following The Diary of Captain Ronald George Elidor Campbell until 25th December 1879 It all falls on the same days as 2013

On Dave's behalf!

"Dec 11th. Made out and got my pay and saw various officers. A great deal of running about dined with the general staff. Horses are very hard to get and are brutes. When we get them the commissariat give an average of £20."

"Dec 13th. No baggage arrived from Durban, there is an awful confusion respecting it which is aggravated by the stupidity of one Granville at Durban. Natal sore on the mend by dint of poultice, quinine and carbolic oil, they are the most unpleasant and nearly everyone has them in one way or another. It is not pleasant or amusing to be laid up in a small dirty hotel with no one to look after one in a room full of fleas and not a book to read. Wretched dull work, Macgregor has gone to Durban today en route for Pearson’s column. Received my first letter from England, hope to start on Monday or Tuesday, gazetted as sub director of transport at Utrecht."

Dec 14th. Still have to lie on my bed all day, dreadful dull and dirty. Buller came this morning and
told me the general wished me to come and stay at his house where I shall be more comfortable and
have some society, also decent food. I go there tomorrow. It is good of him. Natal sore no better.
Cecil Russell came here last night from Utrecht to see about some equipment, he returns on
Tuesday. I hope I may go with him, but I fear not. He comes from Secoceni country.

I think Dave's forgot!!!!

Dec 15th. Moved from the hotel into the general’s house, where I am very comfortable and as happy
as one can be lying on a bed all day. Saw Colenso, he preached at his church, but I was unable to
go, about 92 in the shade.

Sorry mate IT Problems!!!   

"Dec. 16th. Still on sick list received letter from mother and Eive. The postal arrangements are very
bad and vague. No baggage arrived yet, much cooler today, Crealock and everyone most kind to
me."

No entries for 17th & 18th Dec 1878

No entries until the 24th December.

"

Dec 25th. Left Mooi River at 4.30 am having passed a sleepless night on a shake down full of bugs, met on the way to Colenso a number of kaffirs going to east Court to join the native levees. Better road than yesterday, very rough travelling. Crossed Klip River in a punt and Bushman’s River by a deep ford the road lies entirely through the veldt. The Drakenburg Mountains in the distance very fine, hardly any trees, one vast expense of grass. Very fatiguing mode of transport, great delay at each exchange of horses, waiting for mail bags, saw some hart beast, secretary birds and demoiselle cranes by the side of the road. Very lucky getting the post of staff office to Wood, should have selected that appointment if I had had my choice. Roads are very heavy going, arrived at 6 pm at Sunday River. Driver refused to go any further as the road is very bad and the night will be dark. And so we have to into a wayside inn. Such a place, filthy dirty full of fleas three in a room, an awful hole. A tremendous storm commenced at 9 pm thunder and lightening and such rain. Lucky we did not proceed, real dirt and discomfort.
A PLEASANT CHRISTMAS DAY."

Dave , Campbell wasnt really shot by a sniper ( as in a long distance ) , he had stormed a cave , and was shot in the head from close range at the entrance by the zulus inside . I realise it's only a small point , but one that needed clarifying . From memory Lysons and Fowler earnt their VC's as they followed Campbell in the same action .
90th   

Anybody want to scrutinize Wood's and Buller's
actions here! Wood retired! Buller took the
blame? officially, Wood crossed it out! redacted!

Open a new thread Les.